EFL Cup Round-Up: Arsenal Ease Past Forest, Liverpool Batter Derby & Everton Suffer Shock Defeat
There were eight EFL Cup games on Tuesday night, providing upsets, glorious goals and thrilling games. Below is a round-up of the night's action.
Nottingham Forest 0-4 Arsenal
"?Granit Xhaka continued his goalscoring form as Arsenal comprehensively dismantled Nottingham Forest at City Ground. The Swiss midfielder followed up his long-ranged missile against Hull City on Saturday with a similar effort against the Championship side, only this time a deflection carried the ball past Vladmir Stojkovic.
A similar goal from Xhaka, but the 23-year-old chose not to 'hush' the crowd afterwards this time. Fellow summer signing Lucas Perez grabbed his first Gunners goals with a penalty on the hour mark and right-footed strike before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struck late on as Arsene Wenger's men marched on to the next round.
Video: Granit Xhaka opens the scoring with an incredible longshot. His second goal in as many games. [@GoonerTerje] pic.twitter.com/KWTudFx7Uj
Derby County 0-3 Liverpool
Meanwhile, Ragnar Klavan struck his first Liverpool goal as the Reds overcame Derby County at the iPro Stadium. After the Rams failed to clear their lines from a corner, the Estonian centre-half finished well to give Jurgen Klopp's side the lead after 24 minutes.
Philippe Coutinho sprinkled some Brazilian magic on proceedings for Liverpool's second, playing a one-two with Roberto Firmino on the edge of the area before skipping past the Derby defence and calmly slotting the ball into the net.
The attack-happy Reds weren't finished there though. Just four minutes later, Divock Origi was slipped through by Coutinho and finished off emphatically, launching high into the roof of the net to complete a convincing performance.
Celebrations for Klavan goal vs Derby ? #LFC pic.twitter.com/OiJgZyReHS
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
While one Merseyside club progressed without hiccup, another was on the end of an upset as Ronald Koeman's high-flying Everton lost to Norwich City at Goodison Park, with the pain of a third round exit compounded by former Toffee Steven Naismith getting the opening goal.
Josh Murphy added an excellent second on 74 minutes to silence Goodison and condemn the home side to defeat. Koeman's side lie second in the Premier League but the Dutchman will be bitterly disappointed knowing that Everton were in with a real shout of clinching a piece of silverware with the EFL Cup this season.
Leicester City 2-4 Chelsea (AET)
Claudio Ranieri's Premier League champions raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to a double from Shinji Okazaki before Gary Cahill got one back on the stroke of half-time. With Chelsea chasing the game, Cesar Azpilicueta produced a stunning volley to draw level with one of the most superbly executed strikes you'll see all season.
The Foxes were left up against it when Marcin Wasilewski was sent off for leading with his arm while challenging Diego Costa. Chelsea capitalised after just three minutes into extra-time, Eden Hazard setting up Fabregas for the winner, completing an admirable comeback in the process, before the Spaniard added another two minutes later to rubber-stamp the victory.
VIDEO: What a strike from Azpilicueta! 2-2! GET IN! #CFC pic.twitter.com/G6r1eEF7nF
Bournemouth 2-3 Preston North End (AET)
Simon Makienok struck a hat-trick as Preston upset Bournemouth at Dean Court. In an enthralling game on the south coast, the Danish striker put the Lilywhites ahead before goals from Lewis Grabban and Dan Gosling helped turn the game in the Cherries' favour.
However, Preston showed great character and resilience, with Makienok pegging Eddie Howe's men back to 2-2, before completing his treble in extra-time to knock out the Premier League side.
Newcastle 2-0 Wolves
Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez's Newcastle United continued their fine form after they disposed of Wolves at St James' Park. A quickfire first-half one-two from Matt Ritchie and Yoan Gouffran helped propel the Magpies to victory, avenging their defeat to Walter Zenga's side on Saturday.
Full list of results
Bournemouth 2-3 Preston (AET)
Brighton 1-2 Reading
Derby County 0-3 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Leeds United 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
Leicester City 2-4 Chelsea (AET)
Newcastle United 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Nottingham Forest 0-4 Arsenal
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